Holliday’s Helping Hands (HHH) School of Nursing

Income inequality

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the demand for CNAs. Additionally, in 2008, 38.8 million Americans were over the age of 65. In 2018, that number reached 52.4 million and the trend will only continue. One significant result of this growth of older adults in our population is heightened demand for healthcare services, including those services provided by CNAs at hospitals, nursing facilities, clinics and other locations. Locally, the Healthiest Communities rankings from U.S. News & World Report show that L.A. County’s lowest scoring categories included equity, housing, and community vitality. Some of the major contributing factors for these low scores include racial and neighborhood disparities in income and health equity, as well as community instability and low social capital. L.A. County also has the highest poverty rate in California, and there is great need for livable wage positions, especially as so many jobs were lost in 2020.

Support from this LA2050 Grants Challenge would address the aforementioned issues of income inequality and health care access by enabling the Holliday’s Helping Hands (HHH) School of Nursing to train and place 30 low- to moderate-income individuals into meaningful and sustainable healthcare employment. The overall goal of the School of Nursing is to provide access to quality training for historically excluded populations interested in careers as Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs). The HHH School of Nursing’s career training is unmatched as it only requires a high school diploma or GED; offers the program at no cost to participants; and operates under a proven model of employer partner engagement. Graduation from this programming would set these individuals on a path to long-term economic self-sufficiency. Key objectives of this initiative that this grant would support, and to address the issue areas we have identified, are 1) ongoing case management so graduates find meaningful careers with a thriving wage and growth opportunities; and 2) providing qualified CNAs who not only reflect the diversity of LA County, but who are also well trained in culturally competent care.

This work would transform Los Angeles County by placing low- and moderate- income individuals into direct pathways to sustainable employment. Through the HHH School of Nursing, these individuals will gain knowledge and skills that will allow them to be competitive job seeking applicants when pursuing livable wages. Aligning with the 2021-2026 Los Angeles Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), the HHH School of Nursing provides training on culturally competent care to diverse populations, including those authorized to work in the U.S., through our cultural competency/diversity and digital citizenship modules. Other curriculum topics within our 70-hour classroom-based instruction include communication and customer service skills; resumes, job searches/applications and interview presence. Participants are matched with ready-to-hire employers throughout the course; and the program culminates with a graduation/job fair where graduates are interviewed by employers.

With unemployment increasing, serving those with the highest barriers to employment is paramount. This new economy requires an approach with clearly identified existing and new high-growth industries as well as employer partners to match their needs with the skills and training offered to our clients. We consistently apply what we know to be true of high growth industries to our strategic approach to employment by analyzing labor market trends. Going forward, we will be working tirelessly to put LA County individuals back to work in careers with high growth trajectories. To do so, clients will need to be re-skilled and trained to enter new sectors. This investment creates economic stability and allows individuals to provide for their families and contribute to their communities. HHH School of Nursing relentlessly pursues its mission of building better lives, one job at a time by empowering individuals to achieve dignity and economic independence through sustainable employment.

HHH’s Nursing School is support by Holiday Helping Hands and HHH Foundation. Holliday’s Helping Hands was founded in 2018 with one house in South Los Angeles. Five years later, HHH serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness with nine houses around Los Angeles County, and two former motel sites. Over the past 5 years, we estimate that at least 100 families and 500 individuals have found permanent housing through our services.
HHH has increased its impact on the communities they serve. For those who have been chronically homeless, the transition from the streets to interim housing requires major adjustments. We have made a notable difference by ensuring that anyone we see has their needs met – meals, counseling, support services – and ultimately are placed in stable housing.